Director of Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Job description

The director of finance serves as the City of Columbia’s chief financial officer and financial policy advisor to the city manager as defined by the city charter. Job duties include directing the finance department by overseeing the city’s financial planning, budgeting, purchasing, accounting, pensions, and other financial administrative functions.

Professional background

I began my professional career as an administrative intern for Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City in 2005. I was hired as a full-time staff accountant in 2006, promoted to a treasury accountant, and finally promoted to a treasury analyst. After receiving my MBA, I was hired by the City of Warrensburg in 2015 to be the director of finance and chief financial officer. In November of 2019, I was hired to become the director of finance and chief financial officer for the City of Columbia.

Hometown

Kansas City, Missouri.

Years lived in Columbia

Two years.

Quote you live by

“If you don’t make mistakes, you’re not working on hard enough problems.” — Frank Wilczek.

Favorite volunteer/community activity

Scouting and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Favorite recent project

Creating an ever-changing budget document for the city.

A Columbia business person you admire and why

Greg DeLine. He was the first person to reach out to me when I was chosen for my position, and he has a really great background story.

Why you are passionate about your job

Because I have strong beliefs in the way our city manages taxpayer funds. I get to teach others everything I have learned about finance and accounting, and I am constantly learning from others, too.

Why you are passionate about your company

I am passionate about the City of Columbia because there is so much opportunity to do good and affect change. I love that I am a part of making the city a better place by offering transparency and learning opportunities to whomever has an interest in city business.

If you weren’t doing this for a living, you would

Be a chef and own a restaurant.

What people should know about your profession

People should know and learn what taxes they pay, where their tax dollars go, and who benefits from them.

The next challenge facing your industry

Public entities now have to compete with the private sector for employees. In the past, governmental jobs relied on great benefits to win potential candidates over. We are now in a place and time where actual salaries matter more than the benefits to the majority of the job pool.

Your next professional goal

To attain a doctorate degree.

Biggest lesson learned in business

Be transparent to your stakeholders.

How you want to impact the Columbia community

Instill a level of trust in the community that the city will do the right thing with taxpayer dollars.

Greatest strength

Confidence.

Greatest weakness

Assuming people will do the right thing.

What you do for fun

Travel with my family. Our goal is to visit all 50 states.

Family

I have a wife, Mrs. Alfreda Lue, and two wonderful kids: Marcel Lue, who is heading to college, and Adrianna Lue, who is heading to high school.

Favorite place in Columbia

Stephens Lake Park.

Accomplishment you are most proud of

Being a father.

Most people don’t know that you

Have competed in the American Royal BBQ contest.